Means for producing swimming pools



T. WALTER DUCING sw Sept. 21, 1965 IMMING POOLS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 5, 1965 Sept. 21, 1965 T. WALTER 3,206,823

MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Filed April 3, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR 771D WAL 75R QQWWW AITDKNEY Sept. 21, 1965 T. WALTER 3,206,823

MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Filed April 3, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. 774 D W41. TEE

ATZDRNEY Sept. 21, 1965 1-. WALTER 3, 06,8 3

MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Filed April 3, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4llllklll |||rmr| INVENTOR TAD WAL TEE United States Patent 3,206,823MEANS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS Tad Walter, Tucson, Ariz. (15357Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Calif.) Filed Apr. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 270,287 3(Ilaims. (Cl. 25l31) My invention relates to an improved means forproducing swimming pools and the like concrete structures. It relatesmore in particular to the provision and utilization of a standard formassembly by means of which pools of almost any design can beexpeditiously and inexpensively installed.

In the production of swimming pools it is the common practice first toproduce an excavation approximately the shape of the finished swimmingpool, but somewhat larger to accommodate structural materials used andassure the production of a final pool of the desired size. The swimmingpool normally utilizes a reinforced concrete base or body which isplastered, painted or provided with a plastic interlining to produce arelatively smooth surface on the inside of the finished pool.

The concrete portion of the pool is normally produced in one of twoways. One of the popular methods is to lay a network of reinforcing rodsdirectly over the inside surface of the excavation and then to apply asuitable concrete mix under pressure by means of equipment and methodcommonly referred to as Gunniting. While this method normally produces asatisfactory pool, it has several disadvantages, not the least of whichis the fact that the equipment employed is relatively expensive and allof this equipment must be removed to the site of the swimming pool atrelatively great expense when the actual period of use is relatively soshort as not to warrant the moving expenses involved.

Another method which is more satisfactory in many respects is theprovision of forms for the sides and ends of the pool so that the poolcan be cast by ordinary concrete casting technics, utilizingconventional pre-mixed concrete which can be delivered to the site atrelatively low cost. The bottom of the pool can be poured by hand so asto be joined to the sides. One of the disadvantages of this method isthe excessive cost of forms. This cost can be reduced considerably ifforms are pre-constmcted for a given size and shape of pool, and thispool is repeatedly installed and built at a number of locations.Circumstances, however, do not favor repetitious building of identicalpools so that forms are either produced for each individual job out ofwood or if metal forms are provided, they must be stored at relativelygreat eX- pense, all of which adds to the ultimate pool cost.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of a standard setof forms which may be utilized for the production of substantially anypool of any size or shape.

Still another object is the provision of a standard form assembly whichprovides for extremely accurate positioning of the forms regardless ofthe number of forms employed.

Other specific objects and features of my invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description taken with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a finished swimming pool of a simpletype looking down into the pool as from the ground area;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View with parts broken away showingsome of the features of the forming and the setup of the pool prior toapplication of concrete;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows;

3,206,823 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view partlybroken away looking along the line 4-4- of FIG 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan View similar to FIG. 4 but showing the arrangement ofthe corner when a rounded corner such as down in FIG. 1 is provided;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the standard forms;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another standard form;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of quick snap lock-dog of a type employedin securing contiguous forms together; FIG. 9 is a wedge employed withthe lock-dog of FIG.

FIG. 10 is another form of quick snap lock-dog preferably used, forexample, at the bottom of the form;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drop-arm assembly;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are plan views illustrating other forms of pools whichmay be produced;

FIG. 14 is a perspective View illustrating one form of corner piecewhich may be employed when the pool has square cornering, and

FIG. 15 shows another corner assembly which may be employed.

Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1. illustrates a conventional form ofpool indicated generally by the reference character 21, which hasrounded corners but which is otherwise generally rectangular. Forconvenience, I have shown no steps or other paraphernalia because mypresent invention is unrelated thereto.

The pool 21 has a bottom 22 shaped to provide the usual shallow end andsloping deep end; with end walls 23 and side walls 24, one each of whichappears in FIG. 1. The drawing shows the usual top layer of tile 26 andthe usual coping 27.

My invention is concerned with the manner of producing such a pool, andparticularly in producing any desired size or shape thereof atconsiderably less expense to the purchaser than is necessary with priorart pools. The invention is concerned, also, with the provision of astandard type .of form, preferably made of relatively heavy sheets ofrolled aluminum and including means for holding the selected sheetstogether in mutually contacting relation, establishing an exactpositioning of such sheets in a vertical plane, and holding the sheetsin such vertical plane during all steps of casting and curing theconcrete structure. The forms are provided in standard dimensions,normally including both flat sided and curved sheets so that byselecting the proper combination of standard forms predetermineddimensions and curvatures may be exactly reproduced.

FIG. 6 illustrates a standard form section which, for convenience, Ihave dimensioned at four feet by four feet, it being understood thatreference to specific dimensions is illustrative but not limiting. Thestandard section shown in FIG. 6 and indicated generally by thereference character 28, comprising a rolled, flat, imperforate sheet ofaluminum 29 which, in effect, comprises the form proper. It has aplurality of transverse reinforcing flanges 31, each comprising an anglewith one side of the angle riveted to the sheet 29 and the other sideprojecting at right angles to the plane of sheet 29 to providereinforcement. A pair of angles 32 form combination reinforcing andattaching strips, and they are, also, secured to the square sheet 29 bymeans of rivets. While other forms of mutual attachment may be employed,I prefer to utilize rivets under the circumstances of the presentinvention because I believe I obtain a stronger,

more dependable form section. The strips 32 are provided with holes 33of standard size and position, used for mutual attachment, as will beexplained. In a set of forms I prefer that most of the forms be fourfoot sections, but I, also, provide a number of section having a lineardimension of, for example, five feet, three feet and two feet, so thatregardless of the pool dimensions required, there will always bestandard forms available to produce it.

FIG. 7 shows another type of section indicated generally by thereference character 36 and comprising a curved sheet 37, preferablyarcuate with chordal transverse reinforcing angles 38 and verticalangles 39 forming a combination of reinforcing and attachment members.

The form sections are positioned and, in part, held together by drop-armassemblies 41 as indicated in FIG. 11, the individual parts of whichwill be described in connection with the assembly. Suitably, also, Iemploy quick snap lock-dogs 42 and 43 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.

Assuming that a swimming pool like 21 in FIG. 1 is to be constructed, ahole is first excavated and a grid of longitudinal and transversereinforcing rods 46 and 47 respectively is laid in the hole immediatelyadjacent the shaped earth surface. These reinforcing rods are preferably/2 to inch thick, although they may vary depending upon the size of thepool and normally they are tied together by a wire, at least, at asubstantially number of cross over points. They are normally, also, bentover at their ends 48 to form a horizontal top portion. The excavationof the opening and production of the reinforcing grid is in generalconvention.

The sections 28 are then placed one at a time along the top side wall inspaced relation to the finished excavated surface, a distance equivalentto approximately the thickness desired in the finished wall. At eachside edge of each section 28 a drop-arm assembly 41 is placed, beingfirst positioned approximately as required by a pair of stakes 49. Thedrop-arm assembly comprises a right angular channel frame, including avertical portion 51 and a horizontal portion 52, the former comprising adrop-arm for supporting the form sections, and the latter part of thelevelling mechanism as will be explained. The stakes 49 are driventhrough a pair of holes 53 in the outer end of the levelling section 52and into the ground.

'The levelling jack 54 is threaded through the horiz-ontal portion 52and has a base 56 which engages the ground and by screwing the jack 54,the drop-arm as sembly can be f-ulcrummed about the stakes 49 toposition the drop-arm section supporting portion 51 in verticalposition. When this position has been attained, together with properspacing from the excavation side wall, the quick snap lock-dogs 42 and43 are mounted in position.

The upper dog has a body portion 57 (FIG. 8) with a projecting pin 58 onone side which projects through the upper hole 33 in the flange andattaching member 32 and extends into a contiguous hole 59 in the droparm portion 51 of the drop-arm assembly. The body portion, also, has anoffset 61 defining a lock-ing recess 62 between the offset 61 and thebody portion 57. The side of the web comprising the channel from whichthe drop-arm portions 51 is formed contiguous with the member 32 formingpart of the form section 28, so that by inserting the pin 58 through thetwo holes 33 and 59 and rotating the lock-dog about such pin downwardly,the side of the channel and the contiguous portion of the member 32 areforced into the recess 62 to form a firm attachment between them.

The lock-dog 42 has one extending arm 63 pivoted at 64 so that it can bemoved out of the way as the lock-dog is attached to the portion 51 andto the form section as described. The arm 63 has a vertical slot 66.

The lock-dog, also, has a fixed projecting arm 67 which, also, has aslot 68 through it. By inserting a suitable member 69, which may be anordinary wood 2 x 4 between the arms 63 and 67 and inserting a wedge 71in the slots 66 and 68 a rigid connection of all of the forms anddroparm assembly 41 may be provided.

The bottom lock-dog may be the same as that shown in FIG. 8, butsuit-ably may be, also, a simple device as shown in FIG. 10. Thiscomprises .a body portion 72 with a projecting pin 73 extending throughthe bottom holes 33 and 59 and an offset 74 defining a recess or channel76 within which the side of the channel and flange of the section 28 areengaged.

Assuming again the provision of rounded corners as shown in FIG. 1, asection 36 may be employed as shown in FIG. 5. For the provision of arounded corner in an otherwise rectangular pool, I normally provide acurvature based on an eight inch radius, but with the very extreme sidesdefining a straight line as shown in FIG. 5 so that the normal method ofattachment shown in connection with FIGS. 2 and 4 may be employedwithout change.

I have already stated that in accordance with my invention any desire-dshape or size of pool may be produced. For convenience of illustration Ihave shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 two types of pools, one of which iscompletely rectangular with absolutely square corners and the second ofwhich has parallel straight sides, but rounded ends defining the arc ofa large circle. For convenience of identification, the pools in thesetwo figures are identified generally by the reference characters 77 and78. They may be considered as having the same general construction asFIG. 1 with substantially the same parts, but in these two figures onlythe bottom 22 and coping 27 is shown.

Considering first the FIG. 12 type of pool, it is understood, of course,that the straight portions defining the sides and ends will be producedby means of a suitable combination of standard forms such as shown inFIG. 6 or forms having the same vertical dimension and a modifiedlongitudinal dimension. I have already mentioned by way of illustration,the use of straight sections which are five, three and two feet longrespectively. While I may produce sections which are as long a eightfeet, for example, I prefer for several reasons, including the problemof providing adequate strength and rigidity, to standarize on four footsections and provide for no more than a five foot section so that I mayadd a single foot to the length or width without using a single one footsection. At the corners I may provide various constructions within thescope of the present invention, but I have found that good results canbe obtained with either the form shown in FIG. 14 or the form shown inFIG. 5.

In FIG. 14 I show a special form section in which there is a rightangular plate 81 similar to the plate 29 in FIG. 1, but bent at rightangles. There are, also, three transverse bracing strips 82 andlongitudinal bracing and attaching strips 83. A section of this type maybe produced by taking a standard form, cutting a right angular slot inthe projecting flange portion of the members 82, bending the members 82at right angles and then welding the flange portion together at 84. Thisection which is indicated generally by the reference character 79 can besecured to the standard sections in exactly the same manner that theyare secured to each other, so that a special detail of this arrangementappears to be unnecessary for an understanding of this modification ofthe invention.

In FIG. 15 I show still another way of producing a corner in whichstandard sections 28 are employed and they are mutually attached at thecorners by means of a special drop-arm assembly comprising a rightangular portion 86 corresponding generally to the member 51 in theassembly 41, and an integral levelling member 87 having a pair of holes88 to receive the stakes 49 which are driven into the ground and anadjustable screw jack 89 functioning in the same general manner as thescrew jack 54 in the assembly 41.

The production of the pool 78 is a very simple with standard forms.Assuming that it is sixteen by thirty two feet, it is made up by aseries of standard forms 28 and standard forms generally like the form36 but with a curvature on an eight foot radius. Such standard curvedforms would be used to define substantially a semicircle at each end,and all forms would be secured together by standard drop-arm assemblies41.

As already previously noted, the first steps in the construction of aswimming pool common to a Gunniting operation, for example, are followedwhen a pool is constructed in accordance with my new procedure. Theforms are then applied all the way around in the manner shown in FIGS. 2through 5 with the forms spaced a suitable distance as shown partly inFIG. 3. A single outside form member 91 suitably in the form of a wood 2x 4 is placed in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. When a roundedcorner is used as in FIG. 5 a rounded connecting strip form 92 isapplied in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Actually, as a rule, I placethese forms before the excavation is made, even though they may requireform repair and alinement when the excavation work has been completed.

When everything is in readiness as shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, premixedconcrete of suitable specification is dumped into the bottom of the pooland spread around the bottom and up against the exposed sides tosuitable thickness using available tools to level the bottom,controlling the thickness of the sides and bottom and producing at leasta partially smooth surface by means of a special tool which is in thegeneral form of an ordinary lawn edger, but larger. The sides arefinished out smooth up to approximately the bottom of the forms.Pre-mixed concrete is then poured behind the forms while, of course, theside walls are still fresh and unset and the level of this pouredconcrete will be up to the top of the form 91. There will be some slighttraces of leakage around the bottom of the forms in some places, butthis is readily handled by means of suitable hand tools and everythingis finished smooth. The so introduced concrete is then allowed to take apreliminary set and the forms removed.

The form are preferably made of sheet aluminum covered with an epoxyresin, and each time they are used they are coated with a commercialmaterial to facilitate separation from the concrete. Thus a very smoothsurface is provided at the top with more than adequate smoothness andcamber established at the bottom through the usual hand work which iscommonly necessary at the bottom of all pools regardless of how made.

When the concrete has become sufficiently set it is finished, forexample, by means of a plaster coat, the tile 26 is applied at the top,and the coping 27, also, applied. I have not shown drains, pipingsystem, pumps, filters and the like, but it is understood that whateverfittings have to be installed are embodied in the concrete during thecourse of its laying.

By means of a relatively small number of standard parts, a poolmanufacturer is enabled to produce several types and sizes of pools inaccordance with my invention. Illustratively a total of 38 sections,including straight sections and curved sections, may be provided with asuitable number of drop-arm assemblies, stakes and lock-dogs at a totalweight of under two thousand pounds and at relatively very low totalcost. The savings are so great that only three or four installationswill pay for all of the equipment. By adding to the amount of equipmentand additional sections, the pool installer has a still greaterselection, so that he can produce a pool of any size and shape. Whilethe capital tied up in equipment will be greater, he has the advantagethat out of this increased amount of equipment he can be producing twoor three pools at the same time. He can, moreover, continue to produce asuperior pool, in many respects better than the available pools of theprior art, and at substantially reduced costs.

I have shown and described my invention in detail so that those skilledin the art may understand the manner of practicing the same, but thescope of the invention is defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for producing swimming pools and the like comprising incombination:

(a) a plurality of forms having uniform vertical dimensions and at leastsome of which have the same transverse dimension,

(b) said forms having vertically mounted, reinforcing end attachingstrips in the form of angles, said strips spaced from vertical edges ofsaid forms,

(c) a plurality of drop-arm assemblies, each assembly having asubstantially right angle channular frame comprising:

(1) a downwardly extending vertical portion disposed between attachingstrips on abutting forms and defining apertures in the sides thereof toalign with apertures defined by said attaching strips,

(2) a horizontal portion adapted to receive securing means and levelingmeans,

((1) a plurality of locking dogs, each dog having:

(1) a pin extending through the aligned apertures of one said attachingstrip and one side of said drop-arm assembly, and

(2) a locking recess into which said attaching strip and drop-armassembly engage, thereby to join said drop-arm assembly to said form,

(e) whereby said forms are secured and suspended in mutually abuttingrelation to provide a continuous form.

2. An apparatus for producing swimming pools and the like comprising incombination:

(a) a plurality of forms having uniform vertical dimensions and at leastsome of which have the same transverse dimension,

(b) said forms having vertically mounted, reinforcing end attachingstrips in the form of angles, said strips spaced from vertical edges ofsaid forms,

(c) a plurality of drop-arm assemblies, each assembly having asubstantially right angle channular frame comprising:

(1) a downwardly extending vertical portion disposed between attachingstrips on abutting forms and defining apertures in the sides thereof toalign with apertures defined by said attaching strips,

(2) a horizontal portion adapted to receive stake securing means andjack leveling means,

(d) a plurality of locking dogs, each dog having:

(1) a pin extending through the aligned apertures of one said attachingstrip and one side of said drop-arm assembly, and

(2) a locking recess into which said attaching strip and drop-armassembly engage, thereby to join said drop-arm assembly to said form,

(e) whereby said forms are secured and suspended in mutual abuttingrelation to provide a continuous form.

3. An apparatus for producing swimming pools and the like comprising incombination:

(a) a plurality of forms having uniform vertical dimensions,

(b) said forms having vertically mounted, reinforcing end attachingstrips in the form of angles, said strips spaced from vertical edges ofsaid forms,

(0) a plurality of drop-arm assemblies, each assembly .7 having asubstantially right angle channular frame comprising:

(1) a downwardly extending vertical portion disposed between attachingstrips on abutting forms and defining apertures in the sides thereof toalign with apertures defined by said attaching strips,

(2) a horizontal portion adapted to receive stake securing means andjack leveling means,

(d) a plurality of locking dogs, each dog having:

(1) a pin extending through the aligned apertures of one said attachingstrip and one side of said drop-arm assembly, and

(2) a locking recess into which said attaching strip and drop-armassembly engage, thereby to join said drop-arm assembly to said form,

(e) whereby said forms are secured and suspended in mutual abuttingrelation to provide a continuous form.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 458,915 9/91McKelVey 25118 945,182 1/10 Magdid 25l28.1 1,034,427 8/ 12 Daw.1,472,174 10/23 Hughes 25-131 1,922,584 8/33 Heltzel 25-418 2,046,1236/36 Jennings 25131 2,782,484 2/57 DeCanio 25131 2,873,505 2/59 Sheldon25-118 2,887,759 5/59 Brownell 25155 2,910,759 11/59 Lifter et al. 251243,012,300 12/61 Harris 25-424 J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SWIMMING POOLS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING INCOMBINATION: (A) A PLURALITY OF FORMS HAVING UNIFORM VERTICAL DIMENSIONSAND AT LEAST SOME OF WHICH HAVE THE SAME TRANSVERSE DIMENSION, (B) SAIDFORMS HAVING VERTICALLY MOUNTED, REINFORCING END ATTACHING STRIPS IN THEFORM OF ANGLES, SAID STRIPS SPACED FROM VERTICAL EDGES OF SAID FORMS,(C) A PLURALITY OF DROP-ARM ASSEMBLIES, EACH ASSEMBLY HAVING ASUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLE CHANNULAR FRAME COMPRISING; (1) A DOWNWARDLYEXTENDING VERTICAL PORTION DISPOSED BETWEEN ATTACHING STRIPS ON ABUTTINGFORMS AND DEFINING APERTURES IN THE SIDES THEREOF TO ALIGN WITHAPERTURES DEFINED BY SAID ATTACHING STRIPS, (2) A HORIZONTAL PORTIONADAPTED TO RECEIVE SECURING MEANS AND LEVELING MEANS, (D) A PLURALITY OFLOCKING DOGS, EACH DOG HAVING: (1) A PIN EXTENDING THROUGH THE ALIGNEDAPERTURES OF ONE OF SAID ATTACHING STRIP AND ONE SIDE OF SAID DROP-ARMASSEMBLY, AND (2) A LOCKING RECESS INTO WHICH SAID ATTACHING STRIP ANDDROP-ARM ASSEMBLY ENGAGE, THEREBY TO JOIN SAID DROP-ARM ASSEMBLY TO SAIDFORM, (E) WHEREBY SAID FORMS ARE SECURED AND SUSPENDED IN MUTUALLYABUTTING RELATION TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS FORM.